The Secret of my Baking Soda Basing Technique

I've been asked about my better scaled miniature basing texture technique many times before (and even tried to make a video a few years ago) but now - I'll show you the tricks to texture your models' bases.
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[@sigurdbjohansson]

He glue, he sand, but most importantly he glue stuff to hand.

[@SalmidanachMST]

Longest video to kick an open door... Glue, and sand.

[@tlee-gc6ym]

I can’t use my phone for the rest of the day after putting together models

[@creolekolbytv1252]

Bro 😂

[@Kobylad]

Your voice is made for radio/podcasts

[@ChrisBennettGameDesign]

My mom always told me I had a face for radio. 🤔

[@TheMythandLegend]

@@ChrisBennettGameDesign and a voice for print.

[@alsjka]

Same thought

[@amroreanimated9963]

It’s velvety

[@Kyleology]

It's a setting in the recording software he uses.

[@TheMorbidFascist]

Sir, i have to say i have never been interested in this type of crafting, however, after the first minute or so of your video, i was compelled to watch until the end. You have so much passion for your hobby, and sincerity in your words. Nice crafts, good day.

[@rmcgavock1]

Great advise ... the basing tips not the glue sniffing. It's worth mentioning that baking soda is way less expensive than other basing material you might find at the hobby store. Also, if you buy a big bag of kitty litter and only plan on using a cup or two, the local animal shelter probably wouldn't mind the donation. Thanks Atom!

[@tabletopminions]

I wasn’t technically “sniffing” the glue, I was testing to see if the tip was blocked after I finally got the cap off. I usually squeeze the bottle near my nose, and if I can smell the fumes coming out, then I know the tip isn’t blocked. It’s never sprayed out like that before at home, and now, in hindsight, I can see why it’s always been a sketchy idea. Thanks for watching!

[@SciFiPorkChop28]

My only thought is that you are going to burn through a lot of glue... I have assembled a fair amount of the Plastcraft terrain using superglue and I'm always surprised how quickly I run out of glue... So depending on the country you are in, what's a pretty inexpensive source for super glue? I feel like those little $.99 tubes are not worth it.. I look for the larger triangular bottle of superglue that I tend to find @ the hardware store... vs say specific miniature gaming glues like Zap-A-Gap then tend to be more $$.

[@Azrael88demon]

@@SciFiPorkChop28 U can try universal glue. In the UK u can find tooth paste size tubes for 1 £. Sticks to anything and its strong. It takes a few minutes to set and a couple of hours to fully harden.

[@davidparton9158]

Use white Elmers glue diluted with water and apply to base with paint brush then apply base material.Then seal. Also there is plenty of free base material outside in nature. Gravel,sand, rocks, ...etc,

[@SciFiPorkChop28]

@@davidparton9158 and Azrael88 - I guess I'm confused, aren't we talking about the baking soda basing technique? and isn't it the reaction between the super glue (cyanoacrylate) and the baking soda that makes this technique work? if I used Elmer's white glue or universal glue won't I just end up with a snow like effect?... I suppose i can always paint over it... but yes, otherwise, Elmer's or Universal glue and various other tidbits, sand, gravel, etc work great as basing material

[@voxkine9385]

“Don’t use used kitty litter...” But...but... extra texture! “You can really smell the Nurgle on these models!”

[@JimmyCrawford]

Comes with free logs.

[@Tuindwergje]

You're like the cool uncle who introduces you to wargaming and helps you paint your first mini's.

[@tomtripp5417]

My uncle introduced me to cider and Queen 😂

[@jbaldwin1970]

Interesting... A point of clarification for non-US viewers (or maybe just British?). Here, what Americans call ‘baking soda’ is known as Bicarbonate of Soda. What we call ‘baking powder’, often sold adjacent to bicarb, is the same stuff with raising agents in it. It makes your cakes rise. I’m not sure if that will have an effect on basing but to avoid issues, don’t use ‘baking powder’. Another tip is that the stuff usually comes in small tubs like salt, but if you go to the laundry aisle you find it in large bags, usually cheaper. Should last you a lifetime...

[@NordboDK]

Jonathan Baldwin the rising agent in baking powder is baking soda. It typically also contains cornstarch.

[@nrgspike]

Yep! Just to second this, in the UK, use Bicarbonate of Soda, not 'Baking Powder'. Baking power will react to moisture in your paints/PVA and fizz up into a gooey mess! Trust me!

[@tabletopminions]

Here in the U.S., we have baking soda and baking powder. I’ve heard of the term “bicarbonate of soda” but didn’t know it was the same thing. Good info. Thanks for watching!

[@brothereldrian9913]

And for your german viewers: Go for Natron. ;)

[@BlueskKulls]

Well I used german baking powder and wondered why it looks so strange :D Now I know...

[@TheMiniaturesPaintbrush]

That bit towards the end, that must be the infamous first attempt to demonstrate how you use baking soda on your bases! I’ve been waiting for that video for years!

[@dannyeccles1894]

I really love the outtakes added. It's almost like watching a comedy and looking for the added features on the dvd so you can watch the blooper real. Very funny. Keep doing those. 🤣🤣

[@rigbysan]

Utterly disagree. I didn't come here to watch a fifteen minute video by some humourless fuck intent on wasting my time.

[@dannyeccles1894]

Oooh, someone's got some venom inside them. Not cuddled enough as a nipper? Or are you in fact the above mentioned "humourless fuck"?

[@E82NoPush]

What a sour apple.

[@orthoff123]

Thank you for this tip! I am doing the hobby since 1984 and with the help of guys like you I am still learning new techniques.. Danke für diene Arbeit! Thank you for your work! Greetings from Germany!

[@Johndoe-co3pw]

Great technique! What I do is I have a big tub filled with various different materials sand salt baking soda kitty litter tiny cork crumbles. What I do is a heavy application of wood glue on the base fairly thick then I put it in the mixture and then level all the material out with a little exacto or pallet knife with the glue when it dries it creates a nice level surface that shows all the variance in basing material then I gloss varnish it before priming and painting

[@jarcuadanantus28]

Kitty litter with flavor crystals.

[@winterhaydn5640]

"don't forget the flavor crystals" -Napoleon Dynamite

[@johnroberts981]

yum ☺

[@AzraelThanatos]

CA glue can be extremely cheap to get if you skip the hobby stores and go to the dollar store... Also, when using your baking soda method, NEVER USE GEL SUPERGLUE, you aren't going to get good looking results from it.

[@edwardbeach7198]

Love your tips! This and the wet pallet video are 2 of my favorite video tips and simple tricks. Thank you so much. I am an old dog (50) learning a new trick (painting & playing) with the added challenge of having young onset Parkinson's disease. Thanks again and keep up the good work

[@megacdrw]

Another way to base is to use the white Gesso primer. Add baking powder to thicken it up and use it like a cheap texturing paste. Add any more Colour you want in it also anymore grits for added texture. The white Gesso didn't work for me as a primer so i'm re-purposing it for basing. Thanks great videos even for a historical modeler.

[@voingiappone]

Bloopers! Finally! Love how you don't lose your cool even in such a terrible chain disaster. Btw, I use bonsai clay instead of baking soda it gives you an even more wide particle range

[@johnlyon5350]

Seven years I have been waiting for this guy's know how. A real big help thanks yo

[@SilvaDreams]

Lol, that end clip of you gluing the base to your table... Reminds me of why I picked up the habit of using wax paper under my models when using glue.

[@SlickRieck]

I've been watching tid bits of your videos, but as soon as I heard "some people like to texture after they paint but I'm not one of those people". You got my subscription.

[@langerhans100]

this was more comedy than information for me ^^ zero interrest in this craft (just watched some vids on painting for my gloomhaven minis), but your voice and humor kept me on. nice!

[@valjester8342]

5:24 Ah yes, the antithesis of a Nasal Spray. the Nasal Sealer.

[@mustached_villain6354]

For when you can breathe too well!

[@kylewells6871]

Superb explanation of this technique, I really appreciate how thorough you are with your advise.

[@the40inchtaco]

If the last minute were its own series, "Technical Difficulties", I would watch every episode.

[@dgp4201]

500k views easy!

[@meiswaffle101]

Dechnical Tifficulties gotta keep it on theme

[@sarahs8543]

I usually skip around in videos like this and pick through information, but I couldn't bring myself to skip a single word of this! Thoroughly enjoyable videos -- thank you!

[@Erocktastic]

Came across this from my recommended feed and gotta say, really nice quality video making. Audio is really crisp and I laughed out loud with the Dechnical Tifficulties that's just great.

[@AuthorPhilTolhurst]

Should have watched this 12 hours ago. Will be texturing my bases pre primer in future. Great article.

[@scottplumer3668]

Me too! The only time I've done anything to bases before priming was when I was putting bigger rocks on them.

[@OutlawSlots]

wow very nice video. I have been painting for 26 years and have never heard of using bakingsoda. this is going to be a must try on my next jobs

[@PseudoBasser]

awesome tip! have used baking soda for years to dry CA in many tasks,.. not just minis and crafts, but never really thought of it as a texturing tool... thanx a ton!!!

[@bartdevuyst]

The nose-pump-blooper was hilarious! Really brilliant!

[@simonandersen7942]

Just started my first minis in yeeeears. Used this basing technique and just primed. Looks great so far!

[@HobbySauce]

I love the idea of scale here. I've used baking soda for a long time for my individual bases. I will say -- PVA works perfectly fine if you hit it twice. The first coat sticks to the plastic, the next one sort of seals the stuff together. I've never had any issues with it peeling off if I've hit it twice.

[@seangere9698]

You can also use grout for sand and keep it in scale for 28mm figures. That ripple effect works great for lava flows and solidified lava.

[@aaronbono4688]

I love the bloopers. Makes me feel better about it when I screw up.

[@GrizzLeeTroll13]

Learned something new and exciting. Adding depth and flavor to your bases, it's all about lifts and levels as Martha Stewart always says. Really appreciate the video thanks for sharing your discovery. Sealing the model with clear coat will also prevent the baking soda from yellowing.

[@jasonbentley3989]

Implemented this technique on my first bases, today. It’s pretty close for my first attempt, and looks better than I expected to pull off. I’ve been living in these videos in preparation of painting my first Space Marines. Thanks for the vids.

[@jmindek]

Really great video. I appreciate the camera shots and your explanation of the techniques. I thought your disclaimer about using unsullied cat liter was pretty funny too. Thanks so much for putting this together.

[@patstoughton5362]

Just found this video. Love it. I am a miniaturist and use chipboard for furniture, fencing, etc. I use CA glue and spread it with an old credit card and coat it with baking soda. Brush off excess. It is like board. It can be filed, sanded, cut, etc.

[@dougsundseth6904]

If you want finer sand (or whatever texturing agent you're planning to use), a mortar and pestle does exactly that. And you can also sift sand to get the finest sand and dust separated from the larger bits.

[@m0rtez713]

Tip for you uncle Atom, when you can't get CA glue open, pour some plastic glue between the bottle and the cap. Works most of the time...

[@michaelstoddard1606]

I want that SHIRT! Had SO much fun playing Car Wars in Jr. High... So many years ago.

[@blkjet117]

I have used PVA glue and sand grit, rocks, etc., and I have never had the basing pop off. I have dropped many minis in my time and have never had any basing damaged. I score the plastic base with a modeling knife. I mix PVA with water about 50/50. After the material dries, I put a second coat of 50/50 glue. I will add more material and build up parts to make the ground uneven. When the material is how I want it, I put a last coat of glue.

[@brothermaleuspraetor9505]

Very detailed. Very patiently conveyed and articulated really well. Thanks for that elite knowledge sir.

[@AnneIglesias]

I am a 100% novice and I’m working on my first two miniature bases. I was about to just go outside and collect the fine dirt, but I’m glad I decided to look the subject up before I went! You brought up a lot of great points and your examples are absolutely incredible.

[@Boodoosh69]

So many models I have not based - never sure what to use as I want the bases to match the terrain board and as I got Desert, Winter and Urban boards that is clearly almost impossible. So with my Death Guard I decided to use ash (as wherever they tread everything organic dies) and wow does it make the model 'pop'. So finding any basing tips really useful right now - thanks Uncle A :)

[@Aloof101]

Love the outtake/tech difficulties 😂

[@gulllllll1]

Thanks for the tip . I have just got back into painting again and this has given me some good inspiration to expand on the bases , giving it even more detail .

[@m0rtez713]

5th and I use this technique all the time thanks to you, but I have found out that it works great even with PVA glue, and it is rock solid.

[@wonderboy2402]

I just tried this last night and got great results first go. So this tutorial was excellent. Going to apply this method to all my GW Middle Earth minis going forward. Thanks!

[@JorenMathews]

I order model railroad dirt, fine or medium. Has a mix of powdery dirt, sand and some larger particles. I apply it dry just how I want it, then touch the super thin super glue to it and it wicks it up and then dries solid.

[@matttillman3269]

As a recovering RC enthusiast, I discovered many ways to glue things together (including fingers). Another thing to try for variations on these effects is to vary the thickness of the CA glue and try other fillers. Balsa dust (or any fine sawdust) and phenolic microballoons can create really cool textures. With thin CA, adding glue to powder is a really cool trick. Please keep the videos coming, your channel is my hobby background music!

[@mikesmith2905]

Like the glue catalysing idea - In the UK cocktail sticks are round (typically about 2mm diameter) sharpened at both ends but toothpicks are flat tapering wooden sticks, about 30 thou thick.

[@bretts2356]

Glad you were able to finally make this video without gluing your fingers to the base! From your suggestion a few years ago, I started using this technique combined with GW texture paints and other stuff and it has been really great! Keep up the great videos! ALSO- the lamp in the background is badass.

[@MrMarrok657]

this is 4 years later lol. I watch a fisherman that makes wooden lures with lead poured for the weight, he covers it with a deep layer of baking soda and just saturates it with super glue. works as a gap filler.

[@Outland9000]

I have a super fine sieve used for tea leaves that I use to sprinkle stuffs... Works a treat if you want even coverage.

[@deviantpersona]

I started doing this a few years ago when you last talked about using baking soda for bases... it works great. I even use it as a rust effect or to add texture to skin on nurgle minis before priming...

[@MilkyPerfected]

I still use sand, but i tend to stick to casting sand, with some normal sand mixed in. It gives a fine grain powder, like baking soda, but also has a little diversity.

[@martijnlourens5488]

is casting sand a technical term ive never heard of?

[@GeneJordan]

wubda wubwub probably not unless you've done some metalworking with a forge to melt a metal and a process called "lost wax casting". Or in the case of of something 3D printed, "lost PLA casting". The hot metal, usually aluminum, melts/burns the wax or the PLA out of the mold and takes its place. The molds are made from casting sand that has some clay mixed into it. 1 Lb Petrobond Casting Sand Gold Silver Copper Jewelry Delft Clay Alternative www.amazon.com/dp/B00XRRKCRO/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_9tFnBbM47V27G

[@martijnlourens5488]

Thanks!

[@martint6327]

Baking Soda scientist! haha Kenny would be so proud...

[@WitchDoctor87]

I would recommend also that old used or broken toys work. You can take parts from them to make stuff.

[@ItsTheGofa]

So the crusty old brush you used, is BOBS brush (Brushing Off Baking Soda) !!! Awesome video thanks TM.

[@GryphonArmorer]

Great bloopers at the end. That's a really good idea. I ran into the issue of "sand" size/scale on a 1:35 USMC desert sniper team diorama I made back in September of 2018. I ended up using extra fine craft sand. Of course it was still out of scale but what I did helped a little. I used pva to glue down the sand and when I did my sealing coat with watered down pva after misting with isopropyl, I sprinkled a little baking soda over the top while the sealing coat was still wet. It turned out ok but still wasn't entirely happy with it, but it got me a silver medal in the competition. So, I think next time I need to do sand, I'll lean more heavily on the baking soda and use the sand for smaller rock.

[@TheStonehammerFiles]

I did this on a few bases today and I like the way it came out.

[@Brickerbrack]

My go-to basing material is ready-mixed wall filler (spackle). Just get a little bit on a small tool, and spread it over the base, kinda like a texture paint. It winds with about the same grain as baking powder, but you can sculpt it into rocky textures as you lay it on, and when it's set, you can even carve cracks and such into it.

[@benhiscox-smith3449]

I love this advice, thankyou. Also love the technical difficulties card and music. Little bits like that make this channel so character ful. Would you ever do a video about the astetic and tone of the channel? How you refined the sound design, character and tone and how you see it now compared with when you started, and maybe goals for the future.

[@Chrisilch]

5:26 Taking "snorting glue" to a whole nother level

[@Emtbtoday]

Us Armour modellers sometimes use it for creating winter scene dioramas too! It's alot cheaper than paying out krycel for it and if you use abit of hairspray the same way you would with krycel it goes rock solid

[@judgestrix5106]

Between the nose spray and the flavor crystals this is one of my favorites

[@TheBunnan]

Great advice! For a more textured, earthy look I use spack filler (used for filling cracks in plaster walls) with fine sand/stone/twigs etc pressed into it before its fully sets. Like the CA glue a little goes a long way and its very cheap too.

[@RedLegBlazer]

I've no idea why KZbin recommended this, but I'm glad they did!

[@tabletopminions]

I am also glad they did. Thanks for watching!

[@Mr_Secondaries]

Best basing technique ever! Ive been using this for my Dwarven dispossesd Sigmar army, it looks fantastic! Thank you Uncle Adam!

[@cvtuttle]

oh my god I laughed so hard at your technical difficulties part

[@MichaelWallevand]

I think I'll use the "ripply look" on forest floor bases. Reminds me of vines or exposed tree roots.

[@sleepinggiant4062]

I found a bag of very fine sand at the dollar store (also small green rocks for a fish tank, and larger white rocks that work for boulders). They work great. Use watered down PVA glue to seal it in and make it all solid after adding the sand and rocks.

[@ryanswartout693]

I am starting a new project and I think you have inspired me to take my bases to the next level.

[@butchkenney8123]

Yes, NEVER throw away an old brush...EXCELLENT tip!

[@ArchArturo]

Where I live the CA glue it’s a bit more liquid, but it has the same results with baking soda, however sometimes there is a strange reaction that causes the both elements to create a strange smoke, which makes me glad that I work with open windows when I do my bases.

[@billybishop2858]

Vince v and atom should have a podcast together. You guys would be a perfect balance. Everyone from beginners to pros would listen, I'm sure.

[@Marconius6]

Gorilla Glue comes in a bottle with a brush too, so you can actually skip the toothpick too.

[@donovanberserk4993]

I thought gorilla glue was hair gel

[@RavenAdventwings]

Tips for cleaning up after a CA spill: If you get CA on your skin, run it through running water. Moisture is what normally cures CA, so excess water makes it cure prematurely and causes a weak bond. Makes getting that CA off your hand much, much less painful. Watch out if you accidentally get CA on cotton clothes, though. That thing will boil your skin. And that is not a hyperbole.

[@Cobrajamie]

Watching these videos has helped me in my hobby alot, just to clarify I avoided your first step of sniffing the glue and it worked fine 😉

[@mallo4424]

Just use cheap glue. I use Cheap superglue from the cheap store (Dealz/poundland/dollar store). With the Bicarb it will still dry rock solid. Only thing to watch with this is that it can give off a lot of heat during the reaction, you don't want this mixture on your skin, as it can cause chemical burns.

[@chrisgriffith1573]

Do NOT lean in over your work, the gas rises, and will burn out your eyes, nose, lungs.

[@bluenine85]

I should be in bed, but here I am daydreaming about baking soda bases to make tomorrow. It'll be that or @Midwinter Mini's coffee option

[@GryphonArmorer]

I use the baking soda technique (also from building scale models), but what I’ve moving to, came from building scale model dioramas, and that’s a mix of dirt (yes, actual dirt from the yard baked to kill off bacteria and fungus) about 30-40% and grout (non-sanded) about 60-70% using ‘Gorilla’ wood glue. Also I make my own bases with Masonite, the type with one smooth side which makes the underside leaving the rough/“textured” side for the wood glue to adhere extremely well. Using different shades of grout (darker and also lighter than the dirt) gives nice tonal variations and you don’t have to paint it because it naturally looks like dirt and the grout binds the dirt and dries rock hard.

[@Sgt40K]

To prevent baking soda snow bases from yellowing use this recipe. Baking soda, pva glue, cheap white craft paint and water. The amount of water determines how fluffy or flat you want your snow. When you put it on the base you can sprinkle some baking soda from high up to give it a smoother, less cluppy texture if you like. I suggest testing it out before you base your model. Once COMPLETELY dry (4 days) you can then seal it with matte varnish.

[@TempleOfShadowsTOS]

Dude, I almost fell out of my chair when you said "flavor crystals" in cat litter! 😂😂😂

[@garypilkington2]

Great video! Really cool usage of common household materials. What you might be spending on CA, you are saving on the ridiculously expensive basing materials. Thanks!

[@santobell]

A fine clay based sand is also good, I had the benefit of living in the north west of Australia for a long time and the sand there known as Pindan is awesome for basing 40k and fantasy mini's. the sand itself is used in construction for housing and many other things such as bowls and cups etc. but a good pile from the yard with some heavier particles in it gave a really nice layered look to my bases. (I even took boxes of the stuff with me when I moved away to keep my bases uniformed for years to come) As for the baking soda yes we had a couple of brothers at our local club that used it both also shared a scale model background and I met a sales rep from GW in 99 who used it for his work as well, but he had it in a container premixed with other things like small granular rocks and bits of flock etc.

[@bigbrowntau]

In Australia, we have access to ultra-fine red desert sand. It's sold through pet stores for reptiles, or if you live in the right place, just go scoop it up/bring it back from a road trip. It's cheap, has about the same grain size as baking soda, and soaks up paint really well. Great for basing AdMech without even painting it!

[@bobluthardt9114]

I've always used actual dirt. It's free. I carry around old 'film canisters' - the plastic bottles camera film used to come in - and when I see a little pile of dirt or grit that looks interesting, I scoop up a bit into one of those canisters and take it home. You can end up with a nice 'spice rack' full of various grits and gradients for basing and terrain building.

[@GGAAR]

Sir, you just solved my problem with my minis and basing for grass. I have blood bowl figs I am working on and I live in Cairo, Egypt where there is no hobby shops like the ones we frequent in the US or elsewhere. I can't find static grass or "poweder" grass anywhere. I can, though, find baking soda in large amounts and rather cheaply too. Thank you!

[@xXCigarXx]

That clip at the end was a killer. Hahaha

[@brothercaptain]

Sand your plastic base prior to PVA glue with a coarse (80 grit) sandpaper and the glue will adhere much more strongly. I've also used a watered down (50-50) PVA glue to coat my baking soda used for snow. Didn't go yellow, but did slightly reduce the 'fluffy' look of the snow.

[@MURGYATNO]

Thank you sir.. Before, i use baking soda+superglue trick in figure customizing to place some part more strong or to cover a hole. Your video make me more confident to keep on with this trick and give a new route in display base customizing..

[@liamleclair7974]

You had me at "flavor crystals!"

[@irrationalgaz]

Another slice of fried gold. What an excellent technique. Thanks Uncle Atom.

[@crowntimber1]

spit my tea on my keyboard at that flavor crystals line

[@ilyantresong]

I have one for you when i used to paint GW nids. used UHU glue with a few drops of water. mixed it and it would not only set quickly but you could draw it to make it look like goo dripping from certain nids as well it's a great way to make bases for nurgle esk worlds n such

[@TheBlackFrog79]

Mark Allan Nids? Esk?

[@adrianwarner8686]

Tile grout works great too (very fine powder). Easy to get various shades, it's very cheap and pigments can be added if desired.

[@tbcross117]

Just tried this out for the first time on my dark imperium death guard, absolutely love the result

[@garnermcculloch2778]

Awesome, I love watching ideas for basing miniatures. However I am more impressed by that sweet Car Wars shirt.

[@brandonrosell885]

Tried this after seeing it in your other video. Works great. Thanks for the tip.